held up in mid-division, smooth headway to lead 3 out, ridden from 2 out, driven clear flat
mid-division, chased leading pair from 3 out, one pace untill weakened flat
tracked leaders, ridden 3 out, no impression, went 3rd flat
led untill headed 7th, weakened quickly after next, pulled up before 4 out
prominent, hit 4th, led 7th, ridden and headed 3 out, kept on every chance until no extra flat
always behind
held up, smooth headway to track leaders and going well when brought down 4 out
mid-division, lost place 6th, behind and pulled up before next
held up towards rear, smooth headway from 8th to have every chance when fell 4 out
mid-division, ridden and weakened from approaching 3 out
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Nonrunner
Menchikov, Echo Point and Majaales appear to hold solid claims on the form book and we are with Menchikov. Nicky Henderson has clearly taken his time to ascertain what his best trip is but with a hurdles rating that is significantly lower than that of his chase mark, we'll take the chance in this affair. Echo Point put up a bold effort under topweight at Market Rasen. This is a better race but that was a better effort! Majaales is worth a chance over today's trip as he has stayed on well over shorter. Gansey is potentially still open to improvement and is a factor if his Sandown flop is overlooked. Double Vodka makes a habit of landing places in races of this nature so is one to note at longer odds. Pacho D'Oudairies is still very much unexposed and is one to note in the market. Culcabock often runs well at this track. Plenty of chances on paper and we are drawn to the claims of Menchikov.
Overserved 13-8fav (11-0) Not jump well, soon behind, tailed off when pulled up at the 9th in race won by Monolith (11-0) at Carlisle 2m 4f beg chs (4) sft in Mar, 9 ran.
Double Vodka (IRE) 20-1 (10-12) Held up in rear, never nearer, 12th of 21, 16l behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Menchikov (FR) 5-2 (11-5) In touch, headway 7th, left 2nd 11th, ridden to lead 2 out, ran on, ridden out, won at Taunton 2m 7f nov chs (4) gs beating Leading Attraction (11-2) by 4l, 7 ran.
Echo Point (IRE) 14-1 (11-12) Made most, ridden and headed after 2 out, kept on under pressure flat, 2nd of 8, 1 1/2l behind Heir To Be (11-0) at Market Rasen 2m 6f hcp hdl 0-125 (3) gs in Mar.
Gansey (IRE) 7-2fav (11-7) Held up towards rear, ridden approaching 2 out, kept on same pace, 9th of 17, 20l behind Beshabar (11-3) at Sandown 2m 4f nov hcp hdl Grd 3 (1) gd in Mar.
Culcabock (IRE) 10-1 (11-0) Tracked leaders, headway 3 out, challenged next, ridden and kept on to lead after last, headed post, 2nd of 13, hd behind Soubriquet (10-4) at Newcastle 2m hcp hdl (3) gd in Mar.
Pacha D'Oudairies (FR) 20-1 (9-12) Held up, headway approaching 2 out, kept on flat, nearest finish, 4th of 21, 8l behind Auroras Encore (10-7) at Aintree 2m 4f lst hcp hdl (1) gs.
Spring Breeze 16-1 (10-13) Held up, driven and outpaced approaching 3 out, never on terms, 9th of 11, 30l behind Reel Charmer (11-6) at Newcastle 3m hcp hdl 0-130 (3) gd in Mar.
Hearthstead Dream 13-2 (11-6) Held up, badly hampered and brought down at the 4th in race won by Tai Lass (11-0) at Galway 2m 2f hcp hdl 0-116 gd in Aug, 15 ran.
Special Day (FR) 5-1 (10-6) Tracked leaders, led 2 out, soon clear, hit last, ran on strongly, won at Newbury 2m 3f 4yo nov hcp hdl (3) sft in Mar beating Isaac Newton (9-9) by 17l, 13 ran.
First Look (FR) 11-8fav (10-0) Towards rear, blundered 5th, soon struggling, well behind when unseated rider in race won by Marcel (10-1) at Kelso 2m 1f hcp chs (2) gd in Mar, 6 ran.
Russian Trigger 9-1 (10-9) Held up in touch, not fluent 1st, mistake 6th and reminders, hit next, weakened under pressure after 3 out, 11th of 24, well behind Ballyfitz (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar.
Tighten Your Belt (IRE) 25-1 (10-8) Prominent, mistake and weakened 8th, tailed off when pulled up 3 out in race won by Ballyfitz (10-8) at Cheltenham 3m lst hcp hdl (1) gs in Mar, 24 ran.
Majaales (USA) 10-1 (11-1) Chased leaders, led 2 out, driven and edged right flat, stayed on well, won at Newbury 2m 3f hcp hdl (2) gs beating Lindop (11-1) by 1l, 17 ran.
Aston Lad 20-1 (10-0) Held up, headway 7th, ridden after 3 out, soon weakened, 7th of 9, 27l behind Nycteos (10-10) at Kempton 2m 5f hcp hdl (2) sft in Jan.
